ERITH & Belvedere manager Micky Collins has revelaed he has been inundated with phone calls from players desperate to play for the club next season following their Kent League title success.

The Deres are set to discover this week whether they will be plying their trade in the north or south division of the Isthmian League next season.

But regardless of where they end up, last week’s promotion has already attracted plenty of interest from potential new summer signings.

Collins told News Shopper: “My phone has been quite busy in the last few days.

“As soon as you get out of the Kent League it becomes much easier to attract players.

“There are a lot of people out there who refuse to play in the Kent League because they see it as a step down too far.

“We already know we have to strengthen the squad anyway.

“There are probably two or three who are going to retire and some will want to stay at Kent League level because they don’t want to travel.”

The amount of travelling awaiting next season will only become clear once it is decided which division the Deres will be in, with Collins expressing a clear preference for Isthmian Division One North football.

The boss explained: “From my point of view I feel we would stand a much better chance of promotion in the north as opposed to the south.

“We run on a very tight budget so it would be far more suitable for a club of our stature to be in the northern section.

“I’m speaking as a selfish manager though, as I’m sure the club’s owners would probably prefer to be in the south as there are a lot more derby games.”

E&B have the opportunity to complete the double on Saturday when they take on Corinthian in the Kent League Premier Cup final at Park View Road (12pm).

Collins added: “It would be a fantastic achievement to cap a memorable year with another trophy to go with the title.”

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